Did you know that spammers have multiple ways of acquiring your email address, often times unknowingly. Some of the most common ways include:
- Buying illegal lists of people’s email addresses
- Using email address “harvesting programs” which scour the Internet and copy any text that contains the “@” character.
- Using dictionary programs which can generate alphabetic/numeric combinations of addresses in sequences.
- Dishonest subscribe/unsubscribe newsletter services who sell your email for commission- A common unsubscribe scheme is when an email blast is sent out with a false “you have joined a newsletter” email. When users click on the “unsubscribe” link, they are actually confirming that a real person exists at their email address.
To reduce the chances of your e-mail address getting on a spammers list, here are 5 simple preventative measures you can take that will go a long way in keeping not-so-delicious spam out of your in-box.
1. Use a disposable e-mail address.
If you buy products online or occasionally subscribe to web sites that interest you, chances are you’re going to get spammed. To avoid your main e-mail address from ending up on their broadcast list, set up a free Internet e-mail address with Hotmail or Gmail and use it when buying or opting in to online newsletters. You can also use a throwaway e-mail address when making purchases or subscribing to newsletters (see #2 below).
2. Create throwaway e-mail accounts.
If you own a web domain, all mail going to an address at your domain is probably set up to come directly to you by default. For example, an e-mail addressed to [email protected] will be delivered to your in-box.
This is a great way to fight spam without missing out on important e-mails you want to get. The next time you sign up for a newsletter, use the title of the website in your e-mail address. For example, if the website is titled “www.greatwidgets.com,” enter “[email protected]” as your e-mail address. If you get spammed, look at what address the spam was sent to.
If [email protected] shows up as the original recipient, you know the source since that e-mail address was unique to that web site. Now you can easily stop the spam by making any e-mail sent to that address bounce back to the sender.
3. Pay attention to check boxes that automatically opt you in.
-Whenever you subscribe to a website or make a purchase online, look out for the small pre-checked boxes that say, “Yes! I want to receive offers from third party companies.”
-If you do not un-check the box to opt-out, your e-mail address can (and will) be sold to every online advertiser. To avoid this from happening, simply take a closer look at every online form you fill out. –
-Also avoid confirming an “unsubscribe” request from a newsletter you do not know. Simply delete the email.
4. Don’t post your main e-mail address on your website, web forums, or newsgroups.
-Spammers have special programs that can glean e-mail addresses from websites without your permission. If you are posting to a web forum or newsgroup, use your disposable e-mail address instead of your main e-mail address.
-If you want to post an e-mail address on your home page, use “info@” and have all replies forwarded to a folder in your in-box that won’t interfere with your main address.
5. Don’t open, reply to or try to opt-out of obvious spam e-mails.
-Opening, replying to, or even clicking a bogus opt-out link in an obvious spam e-mail signals that your e-mail address is active, and more spam will follow.
-The only time it is safe to click on the opt-out link or reply to the e-mail is when the message was sent from a company you know or do business with (for example, a company that you purchase from or a newsletter you subscribed to).
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